Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c20.s1.24

v2.c20.s1.24

Where one sees in unmistakable terms the latitude given to woman by the lawgivers is in the right which Manu gave her of choosing her husband, and the privilege which even the later writers allowed her of offering the piṇḍa to her deceased husband. Manu lays down the following rule as regards the choice of a husband: "Three years let a damsel wait, though she be marriageable; but after that time let her choose for herself a bride-groom (of) equal (caste and rank). If, being not given in marriage, she herself seeks a husband, she incurs no guilt, nor (does) he whom she weds".⁵